Huckabee/Colbert '08: On the Issues

By Tommy Christopher
Jan 10th 2008 11:08PM

Filed Under:eMike Huckabee, 2008 President, Humor, Stephen Colbert

"Fundit" and Farcenist Stephen Colbert has been tapped as Republican candidate Mike Huckabee's running mate, announced the candidate on last night's episode of "The Colbert Report", video below. Anyone familiar with Colbert's own failed candidacy can now clearly see that it was all a charade leading up to this. Did Colbert's donors, chiefly Doritos, know that they were really funding a Vice-Presidential campaign? I don't think so, and that's just wrong.

With this stunning announcement, I thought there would be no better time than to examine the substance of Mike Huckabee, and try to figure out what effect this newly-formed ticket will have on the Republicans' Race to Their Own Houses, Which May or May Not Happen to be White.
Upon reflection, this should actually come as no surprise. When you think about it, who else could Huckabee have picked as a running mate? Despite huge support from Republican voters, especially relative to his campaign war chest, Mike Huckabee is still viewed as an outsider by the more mainstream Republican candidates.

Colbert, whose name is suspiciously french-sounding, correctly identifies a major reason for this. Huckabee has consistently displayed something approaching a compassionate attitude toward illegal Mexican children, notably at the CNN Youtube debate, while Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani engaged in a one-upping Sombrero Smash that would shame Lou Dobbs. Setting Huck apart from the other GOP hopefuls, however, is his tough stand on illegal Pakistani immigration.

About that. Huckabee took a lot of flak for conflating the Benazir Bhutto assassination with the illegal immigration crisis, with critics opining that it demonstrated a weak grasp of foreign policy. Colbert arrogantly tries to show Mike up with his resume´ of diplomacy at various Sandals resorts, completely ignoring Huck's sterling bona fides vis a vis his frequent visits to respected world body The International House of Pancakes.

Toward the interview, I think Mike may have bucked up his image a little with the Republican establishment by spurning Colbert's whimsical offer of a trip "all the way to the Altar!"

Many will try to paint this pairing as some kind of a joke, but in a post-New Hampshire world, is it? Is it? When all of the so-called "real" pundits said there was no way perennial frontrunner Hillary Clinton could possibly frontrun in New Hampshire, she proved them all wrong. Is it so crazy to think that a "Fundit" and a plain-speaking Baptist minister could ascend to become the losing ticket in the general election? At the risk of offending the freshly-minted running mates, let's see how this story "evolves."

On a slightly more serious note, I have thought long and hard (that's what she said) about my "Substance" series as it relates to the Republican candidates. Although I have no doubt that I can fairly present their positions, and am completely comfortable with the fairness of presenting clearly labeled opinions along with them, I think our readers are better served if someone with less of an ideological chasm between them and the candidates were to provide this service. Luckily for me, my Mom has volunteered to take up that mantle.

While not necessarily a Republican, she is much more of a mixed bag when it comes to political and social beliefs, and I think her assessments will be more in keeping with what I hope has been the constructive nature of the series. So, without further ado, proceed at once to her blog, The Lady of Light, for "The Substance of Mike Huckabee." I'll weigh in in the comments section of her blog.

Update: Devastating quote from my mom's Huckabee article:

"This sums up some of the issues as stated by Huckabee in his own words. His tax plan sounded so radical to me that I would recommend you read it for yourself on his website. I am not well versed on all of the tax plans and I am wise enough NOT to say I completed my CPA when I did not!"


P.S. While I was looking for video of Mike Huckabee on the Bhutto assassination, I stumbled across this hilarious gem. Kids are awesome.

Recent Comments

(Page 1 of 1)

Latest Elections News Headlines

    No current headlines. Please try again later.

    Political Machine Photo Galleries

    Candidates' Favorite TV Shows
    Democrats Debate in Las Vegas
    Laura's Trip to Middle East
    Political Sex Scandals
    The Not-So Traditional 2008 Candidates
    Al Gore's Ups and Downs
    Spokespersons!
    Candidate Spouses

    Politics Video

    Will.I.Am on Obama's Internet Empire

    Will.I.Am on Obama's Internet Empire

    Will.I.Am ponders on how Obama and the internet have changed politics forever. (Oct. 3)
    Mo Rocca 180: Dolly vs. Abe

    Mo Rocca 180: Dolly vs. Abe

    Dolly Parton or Abe Lincoln? You must choose!
    Reid: Presidential Politics Harming Bailout Plan

    Reid: Presidential Politics Harming Bailout Plan

    Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Friday that the time has come for presidential politics to leave the negotiating table as lawmakers work to reach an agreement on a financial bailout plan. (Sept. 26)
    Dems Blame McCain for Bailout Deal Breakdown

    Dems Blame McCain for Bailout Deal Breakdown

    Sen. John McCain's self-portrait as a bold leader willing to set politics aside to save an endangered financial bailout plan took a pounding Thursday from top Democrats and even some fellow Republicans. (Sept. 25)
    Street Team '08: Pigskin Politics

    Street Team '08: Pigskin Politics

    A football game is the last place you'd expect to find political proselytizing, but this year Democrats are ready to make a hail mary pass in Idaho. Produced by Brian Rich of Idaho for MTV's Choose or Lose Streat Team '08 at chooseorlose.com. (Sept. 25)
    « See More Politics Video
    Register to Vote with Declare Yourself

    Declare Yourself is a campaign that encourages young Americans to register and vote.

    REGISTER TO VOTE NOW AT:
    www.declareyourself.org